Chapter 39: Caelus Vespera returns
The Vespera estate came into view sooner than Caelus had expected, its dark spires rising above the surrounding walls exactly as he remembered them.
The dark stone, narrow spires, and imposing walls that had surrounded his childhood were all exactly where he had left them.
Unfortunately, the same could not be said for him.
The two knights stationed at the gates exchanged a glance when they recognized the carriage.
It was the same carriage that had carried the Third Young Master away.
Neither had expected to see it return with him inside.
One of the knights stepped forward as the carriage slowed. He peered through the window, and his expression shifted with obvious surprise.
"Open the gate."
The gates opened.
Caelus stepped down from the carriage and adjusted the front of his coat.
The clothes were respectable enough, though hardly what anyone would expect from the third son of House Vespera. He had bought them with what little money remained after purchasing the Water-aligned cores, and he had no intention of spending more simply to satisfy appearances.
At least they were clean.
Caelus looked across the estate before starting toward the main mansion.
He had originally intended to bypass the Vespera residence entirely and head straight for the academy. Returning meant questions, explanations, and, most importantly, his father’s reaction to everything that had changed while he was gone.
None of that sounded appealing.
Still, he had made a promise to Mira.
And, if he was being honest with himself, he also wanted to see his father’s reaction.
The estate had always been impressive from the outside. Caelus had simply never found it particularly welcoming.
He had spent years trying to earn a place inside these walls that had never felt entirely his. Now he was walking back through them as a C-rank mage and the disciple of an S-rank mage.
He was curious how long it would take before someone noticed either change.
He walked toward the mansion.
The first maid who noticed him stopped so abruptly that the servant behind her nearly walked into her.
Another guard looked over.
Within seconds, the quiet rhythm of the courtyard began to unravel as more people realized who had just walked through the gate.
One of the younger servants suddenly turned and ran toward the mansion.
"The third young master is back!"
The announcement spread quickly. Conversations died, heads turned, and servants began making way as Caelus approached.
Some wore expressions of relief.
Others looked uncertain.
The more experienced servants recovered first. They straightened, stepped aside, and restored the formality expected of the household.
Caelus noticed the commotion but wasn’t particularly impressed by it. He had expected a reaction. The scale of it was almost amusing.
Apparently, his disappearance had been more significant than he had assumed.
By the time he reached the mansion, rows of familiar and unfamiliar faces had already gathered along the hallway.
The experienced servants recognized him immediately.
They stepped aside in practiced unison.
"We greet the young master."
Caelus gave them no response and simply continued forward.
Then he spotted Mira among them.
She looked as though she had forgotten how to breathe.
Caelus stopped.
"Mira."
She followed him to his room.
The moment the door closed behind them, Mira finally broke.
"Young Master, where have you been? I thought you had died! Why did you disappear like that? Do you have any idea how worried I was? Are you injured? What happened to you?"
The questions came so quickly that Caelus barely found an opening between them.
He sighed.
"Breathe, Mira."
She stopped, took a hurried breath, and tried to regain control.
Caelus looked at her.
"I’m fine. Better than fine, actually. Did you really think my father would let me die in the gutters?"
Mira stared at him.
He considered it.
"Actually, he might."
Mira opened her mouth again, but this time the words stopped halfway.
Her eyes widened.
She looked at him again, then at the faint magical presence surrounding him, as though hoping she had misunderstood it.
"You became a mag—"
He covered her mouth immediately.
"Keep it down."
When he removed his hand, Mira’s cheeks turned slightly red as she rubbed her mouth.
"Your father wouldn’t like this," she said.
He chuckled. "Everyone keeps saying that."
"It’s because it’s true."
"I was planning to go straight to the academy."
Mira looked at him.
"Then I remembered I promised to take you with me. That’s why I came back."
And to see my father’s reaction.
That part was worth the trip.
Her face brightened. "You remembered?"
"I did."
She smiled so openly that Caelus found himself glad he’d remembered.
Then his expression grew more serious.
His expression became more serious.
"The academy won’t be safe. You’re not trained to fight, and if something happens while I’m somewhere else, I can’t guarantee I’ll reach you in time. Are you still sure?"
Mira hesitated.
Fear crossed her face, but she steadied herself before it could become an excuse.
"I’m sure," she said. "I’ll come with you."
He nodded. He had expected that answer.
Caelus was about to answer when the door slammed open hard enough to strike the wall.
Selene crossed the room before he could fully turn.
Her hand closed around his throat, and the next thing he knew, his feet had left the floor.
Her expression was difficult to read at first.
Anger was obvious, as was the hurt beneath it.
Relief was buried somewhere underneath both.
"You bastard."
Her fingers tightened around his throat.
"You disappear without a word, leave everyone wondering whether you’re dead, and then come back as a mage?"
The pressure around his throat was unpleasant. Selene was stronger than he’d expected.
Caelus looked down at her anyway.
"What a warm welcome," he managed, his voice strained by the grip. "I’m flattered."
"You think this is funny?"
"A little." His voice cracked.
Mira stood beside them with one hand raised, looking helplessly between Selene and Caelus. She clearly wanted to intervene but had no idea how to do so without making things worse.
The door opened again.
Alexander, the head butler, stepped inside.
His gaze passed from Selene’s hand around Caelus’s throat to Mira’s increasingly horrified expression.
His face did not change.
"Young Lady Selene."
Selene didn’t let go.
"The Patriarch has called a family assembly. Everyone is expected in the assembly hall promptly."
His gaze lingered briefly.
"Congratulations on reaching C-rank, Young Master."
Alexander turned and left.
Selene finally released him.
Caelus landed, caught his balance, and adjusted his collar.
He looked toward the door Alexander had disappeared through.
Less than an hour after returning home, his father had already summoned the entire family.
He sighed.
So much for a quiet visit.